Impact of Management Technique on Baor Fisheries: A case of Benipur Baor, Chuadanga

Abstract

Baor fisheries are an important component in fisheries development of Bangladesh. Different management strategies had been implied in Baor management for the last three decades. Banipur Baor of Chuadanga was taken under consideration for the present study to compare past and present management systems in terms of culture technique, livelihood and institutional aspects with the goal to identify a suitable management strategy. Discarding grass carp (10%) in species composition, increasing stocking density from 3,000 pcs/ha to 5,000 pcs/ha, continuous instead of single stocking–harvesting and applying urea (50 kg/ha) increases the average production from 731 kg/ha to 1,302 kg/ha. Cost-benefit ratio also increases from 1:2.74 to 1:3.26. There were no major differences observed in supporting occupation of fisheries, but income from major occupation changed their livelihood. Presently, hundred percent fishers can sign, 30% can read and write, and most are trained about family planning. Considering the wealth status of 94 fishermen, extremely poor belong to 22 to 5 persons, poor 43 to 38 persons, lower middle class 19 to 24 persons and middle class 5 to 10 persons. DOF-based co-management showed better institutional performance than DOF-NGO-based co-management. However, lease extension system, VAT imposed by the Land Ministry, influence of outsiders and political pressure need to be focused further for improving the present management systems.